Intel’s upcoming Nova Lake-S desktop processors are expected to deliver a major jump in performance, but they could also require significantly more power. A new leak suggests that Intel’s flagship 52-core Nova Lake CPU could reach a PL2 (Maximum Turbo Power) of up to 474W during heavy workloads.
To support these powerful chips, some upcoming Z990 motherboards may feature three 8-pin CPU power connectors, although not every board will require them.
Intel Nova Lake Flagship Could Hit 474W PL2
According to leaks shared by LC Tech Leaks and @jaykihn0, Intel has updated its power delivery guidelines for the Nova Lake platform. The new design allows dual-compute-tile (dual-die) processors to reach a maximum PL2 power limit of 474W while running at stock settings.
It’s important to note that 474W is the maximum turbo power limit, not the CPU’s regular power consumption. The processor will only reach this level during short periods of heavy workloads when boosting to higher clock speeds.
Power usage could go above 474W only if users manually overclock the processor.
Also Read: HyperX Sets DDR4 Overclocking World Record at 5902MHz
Triple 8-Pin Connectors Are Mainly for Overclocking
The leak also reveals that Intel’s upcoming Z990 chipset reference design includes support for three 8-pin power connectors near the CPU socket. However, this isn’t exactly three standard EPS connectors.
According to the report, the layout actually uses:
- 2× 8-pin EPS CPU power connectors
- 1× 8-pin PCIe power connector
The extra connector is designed to provide additional power stability for extreme overclocking rather than increasing the CPU’s default power limit.
Leaker @jaykihn0 says that two CPU power connectors are enough for Nova Lake processors to run at their full stock performance. The third connector is simply an extra feature that motherboard manufacturers can include on premium models.
Not All Z990 Motherboards Will Have Three Connectors
The report also claims that not every Z990 motherboard will feature three power connectors. Many 175W motherboards are expected to launch with just two 8-pin CPU connectors, and users should see no difference in stock CPU performance.
Meanwhile, the upcoming Z970 chipset is not expected to adopt the triple-connector design.
Expected Nova Lake Power Classes
Intel is reportedly preparing Nova Lake processors with four different power classes:
- 35W – Baseline / Config Down
- 65W – Value / Performance
- 125W – Performance
- 175W – Dual-compute-tile flagship models
The report also states that if a processor is installed on a motherboard that cannot support its full PL1 power rating, it may automatically run at a lower performance profile.
Final Thoughts
Intel’s Nova Lake-S lineup is expected to offer a significant increase in core count, with flagship models featuring up to 52 cores. While this also brings much higher power requirements, the reported 474W PL2 is only the CPU’s maximum turbo power during demanding workloads—not its constant power draw.
For most users, two 8-pin CPU power connectors will be enough to run the processor at full performance. The additional connector found on some premium Z990 motherboards is aimed primarily at enthusiasts who plan to push the CPU beyond its stock limits through overclocking.
